2013 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS FAMILY TOURER Owners Manual

Further information on secure stowage of
loads can be found under "Loading
guidelines".
If an infant or child is traveling in the vehicle:
R
Secure the child with a child or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weightoft he child.
R Make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Mercedes-Ben zrecommends that you always
properly secure all infants and children with
a child or infant seat restraint system for the
trip.
The use of seat belts and infan tand child
restraint systems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadia nprovinces
Infants and children must always be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommended for the size and weight of the
child .The infant or child restraint system
must be properly secured in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.
All infant or child restraint systems must meet
the following standards:
R U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
R CanadianM otor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
An information label on the child restraint
system indicates whether it meets these
standards. This information is also provided
in the installation instructions supplied with
the child restraint system.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions when using an infant or child
restraint system or booster seat.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior or on the infant or child restraint. Special seat belt retractor G
WARNING
If you release the seat belt when driving, the
special seat belt retractor is deactivated.
The released seat belt cannot be engaged
again while driving, because the inertia reel
pulls in the seat belt a small distance. The
child restraint system is no longer properly
secured. There is an increased risk of serious
injury or even fatal injury.
Always keep the seat belt of the activated
special seat belt retractor engaged when
driving.
All seat belts except the driver's seat belt are
equipped with a special seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt will not
slacken once the child restraint system has
been secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
X Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from the seat
belt retractor.
X Engage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
X Pull the seat belt out fully and let the seat
belt retractor retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat
belt retractor is activated.
X Push down on the child restraint system to
take up any slack.
Removing a child restraint system/
deactivating the special seat belt retractor:
X Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
X Press the seat belt release button and
guide the belt tongue to the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is
deactivated. 62
Children in the vehicleSafety

LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat anchors
in the rear
G
WARNING
Children that are too large for a child restraint
must travel in seats usingn ormal seat belts.
Position shoulder belt across the chest and
shoulder, not face or neck.
Ab ooster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children over
41 lb (18 kg) until they reach a height where
a lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
Install the child restraint system in
accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
Attach the child restraint system to both
securing rings.
An incorrectly installed child restraint system
could come loose during an accident and
seriously or even fatally injure the child.
Child restraint systems or child seat securing
rings that are malfunctioning or damaged as
the result of a collision must be replaced. Outer seat in the second row
:
Securing rings
; Installation instructions for the securing
ring Securing ring
:for two LATCH-type (ISOFIX)
child restraint systems can be found on the
left and right:
R on the seat cushions of the outer seats in
the second row
R on the backrests of the seats in the third
row of seats
X Move the rear seat backrests in the second
row to an upright position (Y page 106).
X Slide the upholstered lining over retaining
loop :to one side.
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system. Comply with the
manufacturer's instructions when
installing. Seat in the third row
The securing rings on the seats in the third
row are covered by protective caps.
X
Remove protective caps =in the third row
of seats. ?
Securing rings for the third row of seats
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
securing system. Comply with the Children in the vehicle
63Safety Z

manufacturer's instructions when
installing.
Secure child restraint systems withou ta
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat securing
system using the seat belts in the vehicle.
When installing child restraint systems, you
must observe the manufacturer's installation
instructions.
Top Tether Top Tether anchorages
Top Tether provides an additional connection
betwee
nachild restraint system, secured
with a LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child sea tmount,
and the rear seat. This helps reduce the risk
of injury even further.
The Top Tether anchorages are:
R in the second row of seats on the outer
seats, on the rear side of the rear seat
backrests
R in the second row of seats on the floor
behind the middle seat
R in the third row of seats on the rear side of
the rear seat backrests
Outer seats in the 2nd and 3rd row G
WARNING
Do not secure the Top Tether hook to the loop
underneath the Top Tether anchorage if you
are securing a child restraint system in the
third row of seats. The child restraint system
is not secured if you do so. An incorrectly
installed child restraint system cannot
perform its intended protective function in the
event of an accident, and could lead to
injuries. G
WARNING
Make sure that the seats are locked and that
the backrests are locked in a vertical position
after installing the Top Tether belt.
The outer seats in the second row are only
locked if the lock verification indicator is folded in and the indicator area is barely
visible.
If the backrests are not locked, they could fold
forwards in the event of an accident, sudden
braking or a sudden change of direction.
Instead of restraining an occupant, they could
cause additional serious or even fatal injury.
X
Remove respective covering cap :of the
Top Tether anchorage.
X Move the head restraint upwards.
X Release the rear seat backrest and fold it
forwards (Y page 254).64
Children in the vehicleSafety

X
Route Top Tether belt ?under head
restrain tbetween the two head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook =into Top Tether
anchorage ;.
Ensure that:
R Top Tether hook =is hooked into Top
Tether anchorage ;as shown.
R Top Tether belt ?is not twisted.
R Top Tether belt ?is routed between the
rear seat backrest and cargo
compartment cover if the cargo
compartment cover is installed.
R Top Tether belt ?is routed between the
rear seat backrest and the cargo net if
the cargo net is installed.
X Swing back the rear seat backrest until it
engages (Y page 254).
The outer seats in the second row are only
locked if the lock verification indicator is
folded in and the indicator area is barely
visible (Y page 254).
X Move the head restraint back down again
slightly if necessary (Y page 104). Make
sure that you do not interfere with the
correct routing of Top Tether belt ?.
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether.C omply
with the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so. Make sure that
Top Tether belt ?is tight.
Center seat in the 2nd row G
WARNING
Only secure a child restraint system on the
center seat in the second row when the belt
buckles of the outer seats are not obstructed
or overlapped by the child restraint system.
Not all child restraint systems, including some
Mercedes-Benz approved child restraint
systems, can be used in this seat position. For
further information contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not use the LATCH-type anchors (ISOFIX)
or seat belt buckles for the outer seats in
conjunction with a child seat in the second-
row center seat. Child seats in the center
seating position must only be secured by the
center seat position seat belt inserted into the
seat belt buckle for the second-row center
seat.
G
WARNING
Please be aware that installation of a child
seat in the second-row center seat position
can prevent the folding forward of the outer
second-row seats which can obstruct access
to and exit from the third-row seats. This
could affect the occupants' on the third-row
seats ability to exit the vehicle. In case of an
accident it will be difficult for occupants of the
third-row seats to leave the vehicle. Serious
injuries could be the result.
Install a child seat in one of the outer seating
positions according to the installation
instructions if access to the third-row seats is
required. G
WARNING
Always lock the rear seat backrests in their
upright position when the rear seats are
occupied by passengers. Lock the rear seat
backrests in their upright position after
installing the TopTether straps or when the
extended cargo compartment is not in use.
Make sure that rear seat backrests are
secured properly by pushing and pulling on
the seat backrests. If the seat backrest is not
locked properly, the seat backrest could fold.
The child restraint system is no longer
supported properly or held in position and can
no longer fulfill its function. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. Children in the vehicle
65Safety Z

X
Move the head restraint upwards.
X Pull release loop :in the direction of the
arrow. X
Fold seat backrest ;forwards in the
direction of seat cushion =until Top
Tether anchorage ?is accessible. X
Route Top Tether belt Bunder the head
restraint between the two head restraint
bars.
X Hook Top Tether hook Aof Top Tether belt
B into Top Tether anchorage ?.Ensure that:
R
Top Tether hook Ais hooked into Top
Tether anchorage ?as shown.
R Top Tether belt Bis not twisted.
R Top Tether belt Bis routed between the
rear seat backrest and the cargo
compartment cover if the cargo
compartmen tcover is installed.
R Top Tether belt Bis routed between the
rear seat backrest and the cargo net if
the cargo net is installed.
X Swing back the rear seat backrest until it
audibly engages (Y page 254).
X Move the head restraint back down again
slightly if necessary (Y page 104). Make
sure that you do not interfere with the
correc trouting of Top Tether belt B.
X Install the LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child
restraint system with Top Tether. Comply
with the manufacturer's installation
instructions when doing so. Make sure that
Top Tether belt Bis tight. Child-proof locks
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Achild's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. The children
could:
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the 66
Children in the vehicleSafety

ignition lock or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direc tsunlight .The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned on these
parts.
Child-proof locks for the rear doors G
WARNING
Children could open a rear door from inside
the vehicle. This could result in serious
injuries or an accident. Therefore, when
children ride in the rear always secure the rear
doors with the child-proof locks. You secure each door individually with the
child-proof locks on the rear doors.
Adoor
secured with a child-proof lock cannot be
opened from inside the vehicle. When the
vehicle is unlocked, the door can be opened
from the outside.
X To activate: press the child-proof lock
lever down in the direction of arrow ;.
X Make sure that the child-proof locks are
working properly.
X To deactivate: press the child-proof lock
lever up in the direction of arrow :.Override feature for the rear side
windows G
WARNING
When children ride on the vehicle's rear seats,
activate the override switch. Otherwise, the
children could be injured, e.g. by trapping
themselves in the rear side window. X
To activate/deactivate: press button:.
Button :is pushed in or extended. If the
button has engaged, operation of the rear
side windows is deactivated. Operation is
then only possible using the switches in the
driver's door. Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems overview
In this section, you will find information about
the following driving safety systems:
R ABS (Anti-lock BrakingSystem)
(Y page 68)
R BAS (Brake AssistSystem) (Y page 68)
R ESP ®
(Electronic StabilityProgram)
(Y page 69)
R EBD ( electronic brake force distribution)
(Y page 70)
R Distance warning function (Y page 71) Important safety notes
If you fail to adapt your driving style or
become distracted, the driving safety Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

systems can neither reduce the risk of
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Driving safety systems are merely aids
designed to assist driving. You are
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in
front, for vehicle speed and for braking in
good time. Always adapty
our driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain asafe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tires and
the road surface. Please pay special
attention to the note son tires,
recommended minimu mtire tread depths,
etc. (Y page 312).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Importan tsafety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 67). G
WARNING
If ABSi s faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 239) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 215). ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even if you only brake gently.
The yellow
!ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions, and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. BAS (Brake AssistS
ystem)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 67). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. 68
Driving safety systemsSafety

ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 67). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Only operate the vehicle for a maximum
of ten seconds on a brake test
dynamometer. Switch off the ignition.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
! A function or performance test should
only be carried out on atwo-axle
dynamometer. Before you operate the
vehicle on such a dynamometer, please
consult a qualified workshop .You could
otherwise damage the drive train or the
brake system.
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 241) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 215).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking. If ESP
®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
4ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. In addition, more drive torque is
transferred to the wheel or wheels with
traction.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. Driving safety systems
69Safety Z